Demystifying the SNAP Program
You may have heard many things about SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits.  SNAP stands for supplemental nutrition assistance program.  It insures that all legal US residents should have a basic level of food available to them even if they do not have the means to pay for the food.  SNAP is administered by each state and applicants must be residents of the state where they apply.  A gross monthly income of $1396 or less for one person is required  for eligibility. Snap benefits cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, vitamins, medicines, cleaning supplies, pet foods, paper products, or foods that are hot at point of sale. However SNAP benefits can be used to buy soda, snacks and candy.  As you know some foods are readily available at Food Pantries, thus SNAP benefits can be used to buy those that aren’t, especially meats, eggs, milk, and fresh produce.  

For reflection:  is food a basic need that should be available to all?  Are there foods that SNAP should not allow?   

Interested in joining the Peace and Justice Ministry?  Call Saralou Hendrickson at 314-440-2020.